[New Year's Address] Minister Kim Seonghwan: "Full-Scale Promotion of a Green Transformation Where People and Nature Coexist"

Expanding Electric and Hydrogen Vehicles to 40% by 2030
Aiming to Achieve an Additional 200 Million Tons NDC Reduction Target

On January 1, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Seonghwan stated, "This year, we must move beyond preparation and achieve tangible results that the public can feel in their daily lives," adding, "We will actively pursue a green transformation where people and nature coexist, without harming the environment."

In his New Year's address, Minister Kim said, "The year 2026, Byeongo, symbolizes challenge, leap forward, and dynamic change," emphasizing, "Responding to the climate crisis, energy transition, and environmental policy are no longer issues that can be addressed separately-they are core national priorities."

He continued, "With this awareness, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment was established in October last year, and the past 94 days have been spent connecting the new government's policy achievements into one and enhancing on-site execution."

Minister Kim explained, "By gathering opinions from all sectors of society, we established and announced the 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target to the international community, clearly demonstrating Korea's commitment to responsible emissions reduction." He added, "We have developed the fourth emissions trading allocation plan to gradually increase the proportion of paid allocations in the power generation sector, and have steadily laid the foundation for energy transition centered on renewable energy through measures to promote onshore and offshore wind power."

Regarding environmental policy, he said, "We improved the green algae monitoring system in cooperation with civil society, and thoroughly reviewed the practical benefits of previously announced new dam projects, correcting unnecessary projects as needed." He continued, "We are working with local governments to implement a ban on direct landfill of waste in the metropolitan area and are managing the system to ensure it functions as originally intended on the ground." He also stated, "For victims of humidifier disinfectants, we have clarified the state's responsibility and established a comprehensive, government-wide plan for compensation and life-cycle support."

Minister Kim emphasized, "If 2025 was a year of preparation for progress, then 2026 must be a year in which we deliver results that the public can truly experience," adding, "We will make the green transformation a new path for national development."

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He presented NDC implementation as the first key priority, stating, "Achieving an additional reduction of approximately 200 million tons by 2030 is by no means easy, but it is an attainable goal through transitions across all sectors-power generation, industry, transportation, and buildings."

He added, "We will actively support decarbonization technology innovation, such as hydrogen-based steelmaking in the steel sector and carbon capture technology in the petrochemical sector, and create a virtuous cycle by reinvesting funds secured through normalization of the emissions trading market into companies' reduction efforts."

Regarding the transition to electric and hydrogen vehicles, he said, "We will promote the adoption of electric and hydrogen vehicles so that new vehicles of these types account for 40% of all new cars by 2030," adding, "This year, we will provide practical support for on-site transitions through the newly established internal combustion vehicle transition subsidy."

He further stated, "We will steadily expand bidirectional charging infrastructure utilizing electric vehicle energy storage system (ESS) functions to enhance energy efficiency and grid stability." He added, "Through these efforts, we will restructure Korea's social and economic systems around decarbonization and pursue K-GX, which positions green industries as a new growth engine, while also protecting the jobs of existing workers through a just transition."

As the second priority, he cited expanding renewable energy, stating, "We will definitely achieve the goal of 100 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030." He continued, "We will boldly reform regulations that hinder the spread of renewable energy and ensure that solar power is utilized in everyday spaces such as farmland, factory rooftops, roads, and schools." He emphasized, "We will also launch the 'Sunlight Income Villages' initiative, enabling renewable energy production to contribute to income for residents in over 38,000 villages nationwide."

For the third priority, he presented a circular economy and a society that coexists with nature, stressing, "Plastic reduction is a challenge that must be addressed globally." He said, "We will carefully design policies such as the cup price labeling system and the Korean-style eco-design system so that plastic reduction policies are naturally integrated at the field level, and we will transparently communicate these efforts to the public."

Regarding water management, Minister Kim stated, "We will reorganize our response system with seasonal green algae management and fundamental pollution source reduction measures, and promptly establish a plan for the Nakdong River water source after on-site verification." He added, "Within this year, we will decide on the management plan for the four major river weirs and complete the remaining tasks related to new dams."

He further stated, "We will proactively improve vulnerable tributaries and streams ahead of the flood season, and ensure thorough climate disaster response with customized water supply measures for extreme droughts." He added, "We will also consider establishing a new river basin office for systematic management of the Seomjin River."

Minister Kim emphasized, "We will strengthen environmental welfare centered on daily living, such as managing fine dust and hazardous chemicals, and promote next-generation ecological service policies that combine ecological conservation, recreation, and revitalization of local economies." He added, "We will also pay closer attention to supporting climate-vulnerable groups and residents of marginalized areas."